[Interview by Negrura]
Based in Bangkok - Thailand, Suriyakat is a one-man band of Dark Folk / Ambient project which combines the aura of Atmospheric Black Metal and Siamese & Buddhist identity. The band released debut album “Mon Pry” in 2018 and an EP “Jatumaharachika” in 2019. After the following conversation was completed, Suriyakat unleashed a new album, the second full-length entitled “Avorn” on September 10, 2021. Check it out!
Hail! Please introduce yourself who talked on behalf of Suriyakat?
Hail! Himnos Rituales Fanzine, I’m Suriyakat and use this name instead of myself to create these music, and I’m also a vocalist of Lotus Of Darkness (Folk Black Metal).
What encouraged you to form Suriyakat? Tell us further about the band history?
First time I used to form a Black Metal band name’s “Mourning Ritual” that released 1 EP album (Mourn EP in 2017) and I realized that it wasn’t suitable for me. I like Thai folk music but I don’t have any basic ability in playing any musical instrument so I started learning to play “Phin” (Thai northeastern lute that resembles a guitar with three strings) with a simple way to play.
Of course it started from there. I really wanted to create something different from what I used to do. Something new that even I don’t even know I bringing up stories of beliefs that are deeply rooted in the old culture that is overlooked by modern day people. I choose to present it in a melody that I have never done before. With the concept of communicating with the atmosphere, emotion and feeling as the main theme and incorporating Thai identity until “Mon Pry” first album is done, it’s the first album I’ve been experimenting with.
Please interpret in details about your musical style and what kind of bands influenced you, musically and soundwise?
At first, I didn’t even define my music as because I didn’t want it to be a violent song. It can be on the metal shelf or not in your home, it was a combination of Synth, Dark Ambient and the shameful folk music with a touch of Atmospheric Black Metal to make it darker, so I didn’t define my music as any of the lines. But the people who call my theme Dark Folk Ambient Atmospheric Black Metal are usually my friends and fans of first album, and I think it’s a good idea to call it that. Music influences other than Black Metal have recently been influenced by local Thai music in the East and North, and a variety of natural sounds to me have deep spiritual implications for the deep-rooted civilization, so I’ve learned to experiment with ambient and compositional music, and I’ve had many experiences working with Lotus Of Darkness. They can also apply new knowledge to their next album.
Elaborate more on your lyrical writings and the messages you want to express?
I picked up a story about black magic, superstition, which is the ancient people belief that has been blended in Buddhism since the primordial time, which is overlooked but closer than most people would ever know. In “Mon Pry”, each song’s story, it’s about the action, samsara, the beginning and the end, and “Jatumaharachika” EP I picked up a story about faith in the heaven realm, belief, but it still talks about faith and the spirit that the Thai people worship, so I concluded that the content of the song I wrote often tells stories about faith and spirit.
Provide some information about your EP “Jatumaharachika” (August 15, 2019); compositional process, recordings, final production, etc?
This EP album is a tale of Thai folklore about heaven, which I intend to present from “Mon Pry” as an extension of what I didn’t tell in “Mon Pry”. So it’s the white side of “Mon Pry”, as it’s the other side of the samsara.
In this album, another step forward as I’ve taken to develop a better instrument (“Mon Pry” was recorded with a Smartphone) I’ve learned a lot more about both the concept and the writing of poetry, music, although it’s not that far from the original point, but it shows the pros and cons of each step of the work until the end of the album. It’s a lesson before we go to the next album.
Are there any specific ideas you put in this “Jatumaharachika” EP?
The real meaning is, “Even if you go to heaven with a false penance, you can’t get away from lustful desires”. It reflects the belief in pilgrimage to get to be something in heaven after death rather than seeking for ending the samsara. That is what I want to communicate.
Do you still have any comments about your first album, “Mon Pry” (March 15, 2018)?
I think it’s a small phenomenon. I’m always proud of the beginning of my first step. It’s not a great album, but for me it was the first book that allowed me to write a secret story that I’ve never told.
Where do you get the artworks for frontcover of your releases?
“Mon Pry”, I got a friend of mine who used the pen name Hemarach. “Jatumaharachika” EP drawn by a skilled art teacher named Romchat Rungkamjad. She is very skilled.
Anything confirmed for the next products? What can we expect for your new works?
The next album already finished. And there are plans to be announced in this 2021. Honestly, I don’t want anyone to expect too much, but I can tell you that it will definitely evolve from the first 2 album for sure. When the time comes, you’ll be listening to it soon. I would like to keep this answer a secret.
Salutant Suriyakat. May success be with you! Some of your last words?
Thank you Himnos Rituales Fanzine for giving me the honor of interviewing me this time. And thank you to all supporters. May success be with you too.
semew.lst@gmail.com